#133: Sand in Our Shoes: Sand Dune National Parks

09/07/23 • 65 min

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

Our country’s national parks protect a huge variety of landscapes, and today, we’re playing in the sand in some of the national parks that feature sand dunes. These unique landforms offer a wide variety of activities, from hiking, saucer-sliding, tranquil sunset watching, and even camping.

We share stories of our adventures and misadventures in these incredible public lands. We also provide tips about other activities you might want to consider and suggestions for where to stay when visiting these parks.

Here are a few of the sites we discus in this episode:

· Great Sand Dunes National Park,

· White Sands National Park,

· Indiana Dunes National Park,

· And we mention a few more parks with amazing dunes!

Here are a couple links about things we mentioned in this episode:

· Every Kid Outdoors (Fourth-Grader parks pass)

· P.E.O. International (P.E.O. stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization)

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you’ve enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show.

Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here are a few of the sites we discus in this episode:

· Great Sand Dunes National Park,

· White Sands National Park,

· Indiana Dunes National Park,

· And we mention a few more parks with amazing dunes!

Here are a couple links about things we mentioned in this episode:

· Every Kid Outdoors (Fourth-Grader parks pass)

· P.E.O. International (P.E.O. stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization)

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

#132: Mailbag: Celebrating the National Park Service and Much More!

In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics:

· The anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service

· A brief overview of our nation’s newest national monument: The Baaj Nwaavjo (BAAHJ – NUH-WAAHV-JOH) I’tah Kukveni (EE-TAH – KOOK-VENNY) Grand Canyon National Monument,

· Explanation of the NPS Junior Ranger Program,

· Suggestions for where to stay when visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP,

· Thoughts on where to get your travel photos printed,

· Which games we play when on our public lands road trips,

· And more!

A link we promised to share:

· A list of the NPS sites that charge an entrance fee and how much

· Just Go Travel Studios where you can have high-quality posters made of your photos

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

#134: Wrangell - St Elias National Park and the Road to McCarthy

Hugging the eastern border of Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a breathtaking example of raw and untamed nature. At a staggering 13.2 million acres, it holds the title of the largest national park in the United States. Its vast wilderness holds some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, including the Wrangell Mountains and the coastal St. Elias Range, home to the second-highest peak in the U.S., Mount Saint Elias.

The park is not just known for its geology and natural wonders; it also preserves numerous historic sites, including the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. At the end of a 59-mile gravel road leading to the park's interior, visitors can explore the well-preserved mining company town of Kennecott and the nearby equally historic town of McCarthy. These sites offer a glimpse into the life and times of the early miners and settlers in the region.

In this episode, we talk about our experience visiting this magnificent park and share our suggestions about what you might want to see and do in the park. There are even a few short history and geology channel mini-episodes as we describe this park's vastness and natural wonders.

Here are a couple of links to items we mentioned in this episode:

· Guided Wrangell-St. Elias Hiking Trips

· Kennecott Glacier Lake & River Rafting – 4 Hour Trip

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices